Three-day rail strike in Belgium gets underway

A three-day rail strike has begun in Belgium, with most long-distance services still operating but significant disruption expected on local and commuter routes.

According to national operator SNCB/NMBS, around seven out of ten intercity (IC) trains are running on Monday, the first full day of the industrial action. Roughly half of local L trains and suburban S services are also operating, while only a limited number of peak-hour P trains are expected to run

The strike was called by the ACOD Spoor rail union and got underway at 22:00 on Sunday evening. It is scheduled to continue until 22:00 on Wednesday 11 March.

SNCB and infrastructure manager Infrabel said the reduced timetable had been organised based on staff who confirmed they would still be working during the strike. “NMBS and Infrabel deeply regret this action and its consequences for passengers,” the companies said in a joint statement.

Reduced services across the network

The operators warned that disruption levels will vary from day to day during the strike period. Passengers are being advised to check the online journey planner before travelling, as the alternative timetable is updated daily.

“On Monday, March 9th, 7 out of 10 IC trains and 1 out of 2 L and suburban S trains will be running,” SNCB said. “There will be few P trains, the trains that normally serve the morning and evening rush hours.”

Despite the disruption, all P-student trains ran on Sunday evening to help students return to university cities ahead of the week. These additional services typically increase capacity on routes towards Brussels, Leuven, Ghent, Liège and Louvain-la-Neuve.

Ongoing tensions in Belgium’s rail sector

The strike follows a series of disputes between rail unions and management over government policy and working conditions.

Earlier this year, a planned set of strikes in February was blocked by HR Rail, the joint personnel body overseeing staff for both SNCB and infrastructure manager Infrabel. The unions challenged that decision before Belgium’s Council of State, but the country’s highest administrative court ultimately rejected the appeal.

Industrial tensions have been building for months. SNCB chief executive Sophie Dutordoir previously criticised the frequency of strike action across the sector. “I don’t underestimate the changes for my employees, but what’s happening today is really no longer reasonable,” she said in January.

Monday’s stoppage marks the 33rd day of rail strikes in Belgium within the past year, underlining the continuing strain between rail unions, operators and the government over the direction of the national rail system.